Clothes washing machine apparatus



1970 w. A. WASEMANN 353,51

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES INVENTOR W William A. Wusemonn W, Wu W AGENT )1 W. A. WASEMANN CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE APPARATUS Dem l, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 13, 1968 inuuiw 1w \\\\H I l 'IIII Dec. 1, 1910 A, WASEMANN 3,543,5m

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE APPARATUS William A. Wasemaun, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a

corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 13, 1968, Ser. No. 752,341 Int. Cl. D06f 39/10 US. Cl. 68--18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Combination agitator and lint removal structure characterized by the provision of a frusto-conical filter element removably fitted over the centerpost member of the agitator structure and having a cover superimposed thereover for preventing back flow of lint from the space occupied by the filter. The combination is further characterized by the provision of vanes on the underside of the skirt portion of the agitator structure to form a centrifugal pump for circulating washing fluid in a toroidal path from underneath the skirt portion upwardly within the tub and then downwardly through openings in the top walls of a plurality of stepped segments of the cover member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general, to centerpost agitator washing machines and, more particularly, to lint removal mechanism therefor.

The problem of dealing with lint removal is well-known. The most universally employed method for this purpose comprises recirculating the water through a filter pan. Such a system is expensive since a pump, filter pan, nozzle and associated hoses and fittings are required. Many manufacturers of washing machines consequently, have endeavored to develop satisfactory lint removal systems without recirculation by means of a pump.

First attempts at providing filtering of lint, that is without a recirculation system utilizing a pump, resulted inthe constructions necessitating the removal of the agitator structure. The lack of acceptance of such a necessity can only fully be appreciated by those who have attempted to remove an agitator structure, which, after even a short period of time, becomes rather cumbersome.

Subsequent approaches have resulted in the provision of filter structures which are removably carried by the upper post portion or member of the agitator structure. To gain total acceptance, such a construction should be capable of removal, without physical contact of the lint, since the housewife regards the task of lint removal as distasteful. In this respect prior art constructions have fallen short.

Accordingly, the general object of this invention is to provide a new and improved agitator type clothes washing machine.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide, in an agitator type washing machine, a new and improved lint removal system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the above-cited objects are accomplished by the provision of a frusto-conical shaped filter element which is removably supported by the center-post of an agitator structure disposed within the closed receiving tub thereof. A cover member is also supported by the center post and overlies the filter. The cover comprises a stepped construction forming a plurality of substantially cylindrical and concentrically disposed segments having top walls including apertures therein for ingress of water. By this arrangement the water flows in a substantially downward direction and is caused to impinge on the filter, passing therethrough and through openings provided in a central hub portion of the agitator which hub portion underlies and supports the filter. The filter is disposed in the space between the cover and the centerpost such that the small horizontal cross section thereof is uppermost. This orientation prevents accumulation of lint anywhere but on the filter element.

The underside of the agitator skirt portion has a plurality of radially extending vanes which, serve, when the agitator oscillates, to pump water through the filter element. Since some clothes appear to have less lint associated therewith, the machine can be operated with the filter and cover removed. Absence of the cover, which has vertically extending vanes thereon, changes the action characteristics of the agitator so that the agitator is somewhat gentler which is compatible with the types of clothes which appear to have less lint.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when considered in view of the following detailed description and drawings forming a part thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a clothes washing machine representing the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an agitator structure filter element combination; and

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, reference character 10 designates generally an agitator type washing machine. For sake of clarity components such as the controls, motor, supports and cabinetry have been omitted. The machine 10 comprises an outer stationary tub 11 rigidly secured to a gear housing 12 through suitable bolts 13 and 14. A pulley 16, driven by a conventional motor (not shown) is attached to a driving shaft 17 supported by bearing structure 18 which extends into the lower end of the gear frame 19. Within the gear frame 19 is a gear train (not shown), the input to which is provided by the shaft 17. The general arrangement of the gear train and frame are of well known construction in the art, with the output therefrom being provided by output shaft structure 21 which drives an agitator structure 22 in an oscillating manner during the wash and rinse portions of the washing machine cycle. The output shaft 21 is supported by hearing structure 23 and extends upwardly and is disposed in the center of the tub 11.

The output shaft structure 21 is of the coaxial type comprising an inner solid shaft 24 and an outer tubular shaft 26. Attached to the outer shaft 26 is a basket hub member 27 which hub member is adapted to support an inner basket 28 which is attached thereto by a plurality of bolts 29.

Attached to the inner shaft 24, by means of hub connector or cover member 31, is the agitator structure 22. The agitator structure comprises a one-piece construction including a substantially cylindrical centerpost mem ber 33, a central hub member portion 34 and a skirt portion 36. A plurality of vanes 37 extend radially from the central post portion 34 and are coextensive with the skirt portion 36. The underside of the skirt portion 36 is provided with a plurality of vanes 37 which act as a cen trifugal pump to circulate water in the tube 28 in a toroidal pattern.

A frusto-conical filter element 38 is fitted over the center post member 33 and is supported at its lower extremity by a top wall 39 of the central hub portion 34. A filter cover member 41, also fitted over the center post member 33, comprises a plurality of cylindrical segments 42 each having a top wall 43 provided with a plurality of openings 44 permitting influx of Water to the space occupied by the filter element 38. The top wall 39 is provided with a plurality of apertures 46 which provide communication between the above mentioned space and the underside of the skirt portion 36.

To couple the cover member 41 to the agitator structure 22, the former is provided with a plurality of slots 47 (see FIG. 2) for receiving the top edges of the vanes 37. The upper end of the filter is provided with a plurality of resilient fingers 48 which firmly engage the center post member 33. Coupling of the cover member 41 and the filter element 38 is accomplished through a plurality of means 49 formed integrally in the filter element 38 and serving to provide a friction fit thereat.

The cover member 41 has a plurality of blades 50* which serve, when the cover member is installed, to augment the action of the vanes 37. Since the blades 50 are located closer to the top of the agitator structure 22, they aid in the dissolving of detergents.

Since numerous changes may be made in the abovedescribed apparatus and difierent embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clothes washing machine having a tub for receiving clothes to be washed in a fluid and an agitator structure disposed within said tub and adapted for oscillatory movement, said agitator structure having a substantially cylindrical and vertically oriented post member,

mechanism for removing lint from said fluid, said mechanism comprising:

a filter element having a frusto-conical configuration in vertical cross-section removably supported by said post member, the smallest area of said filter element disposed uppermost and fitted over said post member;

a cover member carried by said post member, said cover member also fitted over said post member and cooperating therewith to form a space occupied by said filter element;

one of said members having an open area therein for passage of fluid, said open area permitting flow of fluid to said filter element.

2. Structure as specified in claim 1 wherein,

said cover member comprises a stepped structure having a plurality of horizontally disposed walls each having an open area for flow of fluid into said space from said tub.

3. Structure as specified in claim 2 wherein,

said agitator structure comprises a set of vanes adjacent the lower end thereof for effecting water circulation within said tub.

4. Structure as specified in claim 3 wherein,

said cover member comprises a plurality of vanes which are disposed intermediate the top of said agitator structure and said first mentioned vanes.

5. Structure as specified in claim 4 wherein,

said agitator structure comprises a second set of vanes on the underside of a skirt portion thereof.

6. Structure as specified in claim 3 wherein,

the lower end of said cover member is provided with a plurality of notches for receiving top edges of said vanes for providing coupling between the agitator structure and the cover member.

7. Structure as specified in claim 5 wherein,

said agitator structure further comprises a central hub member having a top wall engaging the lower end of said filter element for support thereof, and said agitator structure has an open area providing communication between said space and said second set of vanes.

8. Structure as specified in claim 7 wherein,

said open area is located in said top wall of said central hub member.

9. In a clothes washing machine having a tub for receiving clothes to be washed in a fluid and an agitator structure disposed within said tub and adapted for oscillatory movement, said agitator structure having a substantially cylindrical and vertically oriented post member,

mechanism for removing lint from said fluid, said mechanism comprising:

a filter element removably supported by said post member;

a cover member carried by said post member and overlying said filter element in spaced relation thereto, having means for admitting washing fluid to said filter, said means being oriented with respect to a horizontal plane so as to preclude the expulsion of lint through said cover during the spin.

10. Structure as specified in claim 9 wherein said cover member comprises a stepped structure providing shoulder areas and said means for admitting washing fluid includes apertures only in said shoulder areas.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,916,900 12/1959 Gerhardt et a1. 68l8 2,942,444 6/1960 Abresch 68-l8 X 3,027,742 4/1962 Nowicki 68l8 3,103,113 9/1963 Platt et a1. 68-18 X WILLIAM 1. PRICE, Primary Examiner 

